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Question

Difficulty: MediumMisplaced and Dangling Modifiers

Select the correct phrase from the brackets to complete the sentence without creating a misplaced or dangling modifier. Type the chosen phrase exactly as it appears in the brackets.

Answer:While studying the nocturnal habits of the leafcutter ant colony, 【the entomologist adjusted her magnifying glass】.

Answer

the entomologist adjusted her magnifying glass
The correct phrase places 'the entomologist' as the subject of the main clause. Since the entomologist is the one 'studying the nocturnal habits of the leafcutter ant colony,' this configuration ensures that the introductory modifying phrase correctly and logically describes the subject of the sentence.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the introductory modifying phrase and determine who or what is performing the action described.
The introductory phrase is 'While studying the nocturnal habits of the leafcutter ant colony'. The logical subject who is performing the action of 'studying' must be a person (the entomologist), not an object (the magnifying glass).
An introductory participial or modifying phrase must logically describe the subject of the main clause that immediately follows it.
2
Evaluate the choices within the brackets to select the one that starts with the logical subject.
The phrase 'the entomologist adjusted her magnifying glass' places the logical subject ('the entomologist') right after the comma, fixing the modifier. The alternative phrase 'the magnifying glass was adjusted by the entomologist' places 'the magnifying glass' as the subject, creating a dangling modifier error.
Ensuring the logical subject immediately follows the modifying phrase prevents the modifier from dangling.

Key Concept

Correcting dangling modifiers by placing the logical performer of the action immediately after the introductory modifying phrase.
Estimated Time:1m 0s
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Topics

Misplaced and Dangling Modifiers

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